Music icon Bon Jovi is managing a different kind of restaurant. Not only does it serve fresh garden-to-table food, but it also offers free meals to those who can’t afford them.
Nobody deserves to go hungry, but the sad reality is that countless people are so financially troubled that they can’t even pay for their food.
To legendary singer Bon Jovi, this heartbreaking fact is something that he just can’t ignore. That’s why he decided to use his resources to make warm meals accessible to the needy!
The 57-year-old philanthropist, together with his wife Dorothea Hurley, opened the first branch of JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey in 2011. Five years later, they opened a second location in Toms River.
“Hunger doesn’t look like what your mind’s eye might imagine,” Dorothea said in an interview. “It’s the people at your church.
It’s the kids that go to school with your kids. And I think that was eye-opening for a lot of the community here that said, ‘Oh, there’s no homeless people here.'”
The community restaurants are dedicated to helping feed those who are in need. It has no prices in its menu, instead, diners who can pay are urged to make a $20 donation which covers the cost of their meal.
For those who can’t, what they can do is help out in the kitchen in exchange for the meal.
If you think the food quality might be substandard because some diners get to eat for free, you’re wrong. His restaurants offer garden and farm-to-table meals served in three courses.
Diners start with a soup or salad appetizer, then choose among a fish, meat, or vegetarian entrée.
Each patron’s dining experience ends sweetly with a freshly-made dessert. Bon Jovi’s soul kitchens have served over 100,000 meals so far, and it was all made possible by donations and the efforts from volunteers!
Because of the success of his restaurants they will open a third location on the campus of Rutgers University, where the couple aims to feed college students who are struggling to pay for food.
“We all think it’s a rite of passage,” Bon Jovi said. “To study hard and eat ramen noodles. How about if it’s the only thing you can afford?”
As long as there is a need, the couple will keep opening more JBJ Soul Kitchens in the country.
Aside from helping the needy gain access to food, Bon Jovi founded the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation in 2006 “to break the cycle of poverty, hunger, and homelessness”.
Through his programs, the singer has helped provide more than 500 affordable homes to the needy across 10 states.
“Most Americans live two paychecks away from problems, and I thought this is something we can do. And most importantly I didn’t need the scientists to find the cure,” he said.
Bon Jovi is a perfect example of a celebrity who uses his resources for the greater good! If you’d like to help him make an even bigger impact, you may consider donating and volunteering.
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Why isn’t your food vegan!? If you really want to cure hunger help cure world hunger and stop the slaughter of animals by way of pay and demand.
Thank you for your generosity. My children were raised about 1/4 mile from your Grandparents in Erie,PA. Erie needs a JBJ soul kitchen. There are many unemployed and many in need. By the way, my children went to many of your concerts and LOVE you. !
I’m living in East Bay a small community in Cape Breton Canada all my life Love your music and most of all the food your provideing for those who have no money to Eat thank you for what your doing,Jon and your Wife Thank YOU
Who knew I had such good taste at 14! I thought JBJ was the coolest thing in the world, and look at that! I wasn’t wrong. What a truly inspiring thing to brighten this dark and frustrating moment. We ALL need to turn more of our energy to this sort of positive community effort in ways large and small, and if I ever have the opportunity, I will eat at a JBJ Soul and leave a big fat donation.
My hats off to Jon and his wife for doing this. They are both decent/generous people and are helping so many. I must admit when they first opened up and I read there were no prices and were relying on people’s donations I was skeptical and didn’t think it would work. I am so glad I was wrong and that so many people are benefiting from this.
My hats off to both Jon and his wife for making this happen. They are very decent/generous people for doing this. I must admit when I first heard he opened his first place and there were no prices and they were relying on donations, I was skeptical and didn’t think it would work. But, boy am I glad I was so wrong and that so many people are benefiting from this.
Jon… Your an AMAZING and Humble man. This world is lucky you came along. I am a Jersey boy too. Born and raised in Camden. Which Rutgers campus is your restaurant located? Thanks for your service to the Community.
JBJ…Salute you
Can’t fault the bloke made himself a great career and putting his time towards people who are in need,but shocking that America is huge place and has led to this.off his own back ! 👏
Think great what he is doing. I have foundation going to build facilities around the Country for veterans and help local communities. Food will be a part of both. Like to have a tie in with it.
Redding California area could use a place like his . There are alot of families on the streets starving . No place to go.. their homes burned up and are living in tents and have no money or no place to cook and eat. The carr fire … camp fire and zogg fire has alot of homeless that are in need of help. I wish I could help those that are really in need.
I work 12 hour shifts been on my job 10 years and was living in my car because of student loan garnishment I made $9 an hour for a $30,000 degree I was rear ended in my car that was also my home I could use help getting into a house please help me bon Jovi
Thank you Bon Jovi and I hope you open a JBJ Soul restaurant in Pueblo Colorado. You are an inspiration and there are a lot of hungry people in a country that should not have hunger.
Kudos to Bon Jovi glad to see our great musicians helping those in great need!!
Commenting from a former jersey girl,
With love and best wishes 💓💓💓💓
I agree that our governments should be ensuring no one goes hungry, but I’m so grateful to see people like JBJ using his good fortune to bless others less fortunate.
This should’nt be happening in America, they have the largest economy in The World their Government should be dealing with this problem !